Traditionalist Catholics and the Respect for the Priesthood

[Charioteer]

So many within the Catholic Church have moved so far from traditional Catholic teaching…

Like what? What TEACHING? When someone says something to me in real life like you typed I will gently press them. Normally I will be answered by a frustrated diatribe of comments about “clown Masses”, EMsHC and the “NO Mass.” Never an explanation of what they stated – just frustrated anger.

 

[Charioteer]

I wouldn’t say it’s hypocritical at all.

We’re simply asking (demanding) the priest be the best he can be. And, if he does something wrong, or is in error, it is in our best interests to correct him.

Look again. No mention of praying for priests or talking about them. You talk about making demands and “correcting” priests. Then you try to cover your tracks with:

That’s basically an assumption trads make.

We by default pray for our priests, and our seminarians.

All silliness aside you neither speak for all “trads” nor is it a “default.” Can you see why some would suggest that based on your comments you have shown little respect for the priesthood?

Oh, hey! You can read my mind? Nice!

Oh… wait. No, you’re only a fallible human, much like our priests.

So, you have no idea WHAT I do.

So, I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t cast your opinion as to what I do and don’t do.

I’ll wait for an apology.

 

[bilop]

Like what? What TEACHING? When someone says something to me in real life like you typed I will gently press them. Normally I will be answered by a frustrated diatribe of comments about “clown Masses”, EMsHC and the “NO Mass.” Never an explanation of what they stated – just frustrated anger.

Condoning artificial contraception, abortion, stem cell research, and advocating the “ordination” of women, to name just a few.

God Bless

 

[Charioteer]

So many within the Catholic Church have moved so far from traditional Catholic teaching…

Condoning artificial contraception, abortion, stem cell research, and advocating the “ordination” of women, to name just a few.

God Bless

The Church’s stand against abortion, ABC, stem cell research and advocating the “ordination” of women are not “traditional Catholic teaching” They are TEACHINGS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, period and they have not changed. They cannot as they are based on the dogmatic deposit of faith.

I think some like to brand certain things as being unique to “traditional Catholicism” and they are not.

 

[Johndigger]

So many within the Catholic Church have moved so far from traditional Catholic teaching…

The Church’s stand against abortion, ABC, stem cell research and advocating the “ordination” of women are not “traditional Catholic teaching” They are TEACHINGS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, period and they have not changed. They cannot as they are based on the dogmatic deposit of faith.

I think some like to brand certain things as being unique to “traditional Catholicism” and they are not.

To be fair, I think it’s acceptable to use the terms pretty much interchangably. Traditional Catholicism and Catholicism are the same thing. Or at least they should be. The Catholic Church is, by its very nature a “traditional” entity because what it possesses is not novel, but ancient.

I think the point about many traditionalists sometimes being hypocrites is a good point and hypocrisy is something every Catholic needs to be wary of.

However, I think there is a helpful distinction to make between respecting the office of priesthood and blindly following whatever priests say. (I know its cliche, but it is, in some sense true)

Integral parts of the Catholic priesthood are celebrating the liturgy properly, holding the true faith, etc. So, when these actions are not performed properly, is it not a good thing to - out of respect for the priesthood - try to help priests to acknowledge the dignity of their own office and the responsibilities it carries by prayer, fasting and yes, correction too?

Final point. We should not confuse feeble and sinful traditional Catholics with the beauty of (traditional) Catholicism.

I have rambled a bit here.

God bless,

JD

 

[pnewton]

No, you clearly do not – certainly not based on your comments herein.

That is very unfair, to the point of slander.

 

[pnewton]

I guess what I am getting at is how can judge a Priest’s actions? After all, are they not the liturgical and authoritative representatives of the Church?

Actually, the actions are all that can be judged. The standard that can be used is teaching and disciplines that are written. Often those who judge them exceed what the Church has said, but not always. For example, if a priest allows the nun to give the homily, even though it is forbidden, we can tell that the action of the priest is contrary to what the Church requires.

What should not be judged is the priest’s motives or heart. Even when sincerely wrong, he may still be sincere and devout.

 

[bilop]

So many within the Catholic Church have moved so far from traditional Catholic teaching…

The Church’s stand against abortion, ABC, stem cell research and advocating the “ordination” of women are not “traditional Catholic teaching” They are TEACHINGS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, period and they have not changed. They cannot as they are based on the dogmatic deposit of faith.

I think some like to brand certain things as being unique to “traditional Catholicism” and they are not.

Correct. Yet many modernists and progressives, both clergy and laity, advance these positions.

They are traditional Catholic teachings, they are the current Church teachings and “many within the Catholic Church have moved so far from traditional Catholic teaching…” on these matters.

God Bless

 

[Charioteer]

Correct. Yet many modernists and progressives, both clergy and laity, advance these positions.

They are traditional Catholic teachings, they are the current Church teachings and “many within the Catholic Church have moved so far from traditional Catholic teaching…” on these matters.

God Bless

What’s your point? If the Catholic Church actually changed on these matters – say as the Anglican Communion has, I could understand what you are getting at but it has not and can not. You are trying to equate the actions of some dissenting individuals as “today’s Catholic Church” and that is not accurate.

They are NOT “traditional Catholic teachings” – they are Catholic Church teachings, period. They have not changed.

 

[Charioteer]

I would say that, given the esteem Traditional Catholics have for the priesthood, bad behavior by a priest bothers us all the more.

There is nothing better than a good priest, and nothing worse than a bad priest. A bad priest can do so much damage, and lead so many souls to damnation that they must be called out when encountered.

God Bless

It’s not a “given” – certainly not based on some peoples’ comments. I’m curious – You capitalized “Traditional Catholic” as if it was a separate rite. Why would you do that?

 

[Charioteer]

That is very unfair, to the point of slander.

No way. Your comment is offensive though.

 

[pnewton]

Offensive? You post here three days and you blow in thinking you know enough to accuse someone of dishonesty. The man said he prayed for his priests and seminarians. Why would anyone with even the slightest inking of charity accuse him of lying? That is slander. That is rash judgment. Why would you not want to assume the best?